A new campaign is calling on organisations involved in designing and financing roads to pledge their commitment to safety.
The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the International Road Federation (IRF) and the FIA Foundation have launched the #SaferRoadsPledge campaign ahead of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
From 17-20 February 2025, leaders from across the world will gather at the event in Morocco. They will assess progress made in implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 during its initial five-year period – including the target of halving global road deaths by 2030.
The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) assesses the safety standards of roads.
iRAP’s Star Rating Methodology provides a simple and objective measure of the level of safety which is ‘built-in’ to the road for vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. A one-star road is the least safe and a five-star road is the safest.
The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety recommends using road safety audits and star ratings to lift the safety of roads and designs – with a target of ensuring all new roads are built to at least a three-star by 2030.
iRAP is calling on organisations to pledge to adhere to this target.
Pledges made during the campaign will be presented to global leaders during the conference to support advocacy for, and investment in safer roads at the highest level.
Rob McInerney, iRAP CEO, said: “Tragically, more than 3,200 people lose their lives on our roads every day. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for young people.
“We know road infrastructure rated three-star or better for safety saves lives and prevents injuries, yet sadly less than half of roads assessed globally meet this standard.
“We have just five years to reach the UN global target of halving road deaths and injuries by 2030 and accelerated action on safer roads will be crucial.”
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